Objective To investigate bone regeneration of the cell-biomaterial complex using strategies of tissue engineering based on cells.Methods Hydroxyapatite/collagen (HAC) sandwich composite was produced to mimic the natural extracellular matrix of bone, with type Ⅰ collagen servingas a template for apatite formation. A three-dimensional ploy-porous scaffoldwas developed by mixing HAC with poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) using a thermally induced phase separation technique (TIPS). The rabbit periosteal cells were treated with 500 ng/ml of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2(rhBMP-2), followed by seeded into pre-wet HAC-PLA scaffolds. Eighteen 3-month nude mice were implanted subcutaneously cell suspension (groupA, n=6), simple HAC-PLA scaffold (group B, n=6) and cell-biomaterial complex(group C, n=6) respectively.Results Using type Icollagen to template mineralization of calcium and phosphate in solution, we get HAC sandwich composite, mimicking the natural bone both in compositionand microstructure. The three dimensional HAC-PLA scaffold synthesized by TIPShad high porosity up to 90%, with pore size ranging from 50 μm to 300 μm. SEMexamination proved that the scaffold supported the adhesion and proliferation of the periosteal cells. Histology results showed new bone formation 8 weeks after implantation in group C. The surface of group A was smooth without neoplasma. Fibrous tissueinvasion occured in group B and no bone and cartilage formations were observed.Conclusion The constructed tissue engineering bone has emerged as another promising alternative for bone repair.